Abstract: A steam turbine system uses a laser to instantaneously vaporize water in a nozzle within a turbine. This steam is then used to rotate the turbine. Thus, the turbine system does not require an external boiler. The steam turbine system may be used in either an open system, where the steam passing through the turbine is not condensed and reused, or a closed system, where the steam passing through the turbine is condensed and reused.

Abstract: A steam turbine system uses a laser to instantaneously vaporize water in a nozzle within a turbine. This steam is then used to rotate the turbine. Thus, the turbine system does not require an external boiler. The steam turbine system may be used in either an open system, where the steam passing through the turbine is not condensed and reused, or a closed system, where the steam passing through the turbine is condensed and reused.

Abstract: A steam turbine system uses a laser to instantaneously vaporize water in a nozzle within a turbine. This steam is then used to rotate the turbine. Thus, the turbine system does not require an external boiler. The steam turbine system may be used in either an open system, where the steam passing through the turbine is not condensed and reused, or a closed system, where the steam passing through the turbine is condensed and reused.

Abstract: A power source for a vehicle includes at least one toroidal ring positioned in a housing. The toroidal ring includes magnetic material such as permanent magnets. The toroidal ring is magnetically levitated in the housing. A propulsion winding is coupled with the housing and energizable via a power signal to move the toroidal ring. Once moving, the magnetic material and the propulsion winding cooperate to produce electrical power and/or provide a stabilizing effect for the vehicle. In some applications, such as in an aircraft application, two or more toroidal rings may be used and rotated at counter directions so as to produce a predetermined net angular momentum.

Abstract: A vertical storage rack system includes a vertically moveable transport conveyor and one or more vertical feed conveyors that vertically extend between the various rack levels so that items can be loaded and/or unloaded at any of the levels without the need for the vertically moveable transport to return to a loading/unloading level. This vertical rack system can be used to load and unload items from the racks as well as rearrange items in the racks. This system and technique allows items to be continuously moved in a vertical direction as well as sorts or merges the items at high speeds. In other words, this arrangement minimizes the vertical positioning of the vertically moveable transport conveyor, such as a cross-belt conveyor, before it can discharge (and/or load) items, thereby improving throughput.

Abstract: Individual items or multiple items are stored on vertical stacks (or racks) of conveyors. The stacks of conveyors are located on both sides of a vertical transport on which cartons, totes, and/or pallets are loaded. The vertical transport is able to be vertically lifted in a fashion similar to an elevator so that the totes on the conveyor can receive items from the various levels of the storage rack conveyors. To speed up the loading process, items can be loaded in the containers simultaneously from both sides of the container and/or sequentially. In one form, a cross-belt conveyor is used to load the items. Alternatively or additionally, robotic arms can be used to load the items. One or more conveyor drivers can be used to power multiple conveyors in order to index items to a loading position on the conveyors.

Abstract: A steam turbine system uses a laser to instantaneously vaporize water in a nozzle within a turbine. This steam is then used to rotate the turbine. Thus, the turbine system does not require an external boiler. The steam turbine system may be used in either an open system, where the steam passing through the turbine is not condensed and reused, or a closed system, where the steam passing through the turbine is condensed and reused.

Abstract: A vertical storage rack system includes a vertically moveable transport conveyor and one or more vertical feed conveyors that vertically extend between the various rack levels so that items can be loaded and/or unloaded at any of the levels without the need for the vertically moveable transport to return to a loading/unloading level. This vertical rack system can be used to load and unload items from the racks as well as rearrange items in the racks. This system and technique allows items to be continuously moved in a vertical direction as well as sorts or merges the items at high speeds. In other words, this arrangement minimizes the vertical positioning of the vertically moveable transport conveyor, such as a cross-belt conveyor, before it can discharge (and/or load) items, thereby improving throughput.

Abstract: A power source for a vehicle includes at least one toroidal ring positioned in a housing. The toroidal ring includes magnetic material such as permanent magnets. The toroidal ring is magnetically levitated in the housing. A propulsion winding is coupled with the housing and energizable via a power signal to move the toroidal ring. Once moving, the magnetic material and the propulsion winding cooperate to produce electrical power and/or provide a stabilizing effect for the vehicle. In some applications, such as in an aircraft application, two or more toroidal rings may be used and rotated at counter directions so as to produce a predetermined net angular momentum.

Abstract: A power source for a vehicle includes at least one toroidal ring positioned in a housing. The toroidal ring includes magnetic material such as permanent magnets. The toroidal ring is magnetically levitated in the housing. A propulsion winding is coupled with the housing and energizable via a power signal to move the toroidal ring. Once moving, the magnetic material and the propulsion winding cooperate to produce electrical power and/or provide a stabilizing effect for the vehicle. In some applications, such as in an aircraft application, two or more toroidal rings may be used and rotated at counter directions so as to produce a predetermined net angular momentum.

Abstract: A lighted vehicle access apparatus and method are disclosed, wherein one or more lights coupled to a movable platform are positioned to illuminate the platform. In some embodiments, the lights are in a fixed position with respect to the platform (and therefore movable with respect to the vehicle), while in other embodiments, the lights are movable with respect to the platform in movement of the platform between stowed and deployed positions and/or between raised and lowered positions with respect to the vehicle. The lights can be coupled to one or more arm assemblies of the vehicle access apparatus, to one or more handles of the vehicle access apparatus, or in other locations. Also, the lights can be electroluminescent light elements, bulbs, or other types of light-emitting devices.

Abstract: A cam-actuated locking system for the inboard barrier of a wheelchair lift is provided. The lift includes a linkage system having a push arm and a slide block. The push arm includes a sliding member with a first keyhole, and a fixed member with a second keyhole. A lock mechanism is pivotally coupled to the sliding member, and includes a keyhole insert. The second keyhole of the fixed member cooperates with the first keyhole and the lock mechanism so that when the keyhole insert of the lock mechanism inserts into the aligned keyholes of the fixed and sliding members, the inboard barrier is locked in a barrier position.

Abstract: A lighted vehicle access apparatus and method are disclosed, wherein one or more lights coupled to a movable platform are positioned to illuminate the platform. In some embodiments, the lights are in a fixed position with respect to the platform (and therefore movable with respect to the vehicle), while in other embodiments, the lights are movable with respect to the platform in movement of the platform between stowed and deployed positions and/or between raised and lowered positions with respect to the vehicle. The lights can be coupled to one or more arm assemblies of the vehicle access apparatus, to one or more handles of the vehicle access apparatus, or in other locations. Also, the lights can be electroluminescent light elements, bulbs, or other types of light-emitting devices.

Abstract: Individual items or multiple items are stored on vertical stacks (or racks) of conveyors. The stacks of conveyors are located on both sides of a vertical transport on which cartons, totes, and/or pallets are loaded. The vertical transport is able to be vertically lifted in a fashion similar to an elevator so that the totes on the conveyor can receive items from the various levels of the storage rack conveyors. To speed up the loading process, items can be loaded in the containers simultaneously from both sides of the container and/or sequentially. In one form, a cross-belt conveyor is used to load the items. Alternatively or additionally, robotic arms can be used to load the items. One or more conveyor drivers can be used to power multiple conveyors in order to index items to a loading position on the conveyors.

Abstract: A cam-actuated locking system for the inboard barrier of a wheelchair lift is provided. The lift includes a linkage system having a push arm and a slide block. The push arm includes a sliding member with a first keyhole, and a fixed member with a second keyhole. A lock mechanism is pivotally coupled to the sliding member, and includes a keyhole insert. The second keyhole of the fixed member cooperates with the first keyhole and the lock mechanism so that when the keyhole insert of the lock mechanism inserts into the aligned keyholes of the fixed and sliding members, the inboard barrier is locked in a barrier position.

Abstract: A power source for a vehicle includes at least one toroidal ring positioned in a housing. The toroidal ring includes magnetic material such as permanent magnets. The toroidal ring is magnetically levitated in the housing. A propulsion winding is coupled with the housing and energizable via a power signal to move the toroidal ring. Once moving, the magnetic material and the propulsion winding cooperate to produce electrical power and/or provide a stabilizing effect for the vehicle. In some applications, such as in an aircraft application, two or more toroidal rings may be used and rotated at counter directions so as to produce a predetermined net angular momentum.

Abstract: A lighted vehicle access apparatus and method are disclosed, wherein one or more lights coupled to a movable platform are positioned to illuminate the platform. In some embodiments, the lights are in a fixed position with respect to the platform (and therefore movable with respect to the vehicle), while in other embodiments, the lights are movable with respect to the platform in movement of the platform between stowed and deployed positions and/or between raised and lowered positions with respect to the vehicle. The lights can be coupled to one or more arm assemblies of the vehicle access apparatus, to one or more handles of the vehicle access apparatus, or in other locations. Also, the lights can be electroluminescent light elements, bulbs, or other types of light-emitting devices.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a wheelchair retention device for a wheelchair lift is provided at a height no greater than about the center of gravity of a wheelchair on the lift. In some embodiments, the retention device is a seatbelt-like device mounted to lift handrails and elevated above the platform surface. Also, in some embodiments, a damped retention device is provided. The damped retention device can include an extendable non-locking belt that slows a wheelchair or other object contacting the retention device by using friction forces. In some embodiments, the wheelchair can contact the damped retention device prior to contacting the outboard rollstop, and is slowed substantially, thereby preventing the wheelchair from tipping or flipping over upon contacting the rollstop and retaining the wheelchair on the lift.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence of an object on the threshold of a vehicle mobility access device such as a wheelchair lift, ramp or the like is provided. Embodiments provide a movable plate that substantially covers the baseplate of the access device for actuating one or more switches therebetween. The plate provides an increased sensing region and sensitivity such that when a switch is actuated, a controller may provide a warning signal such as a visual or audible alarm or disable operation of the access device so potential injuries are prevented.